(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Lucy Briar has arrived home in turmoil after years overseas. She’s met her fiancé in London and has her life mapped out, but something is holding her back.
Hoping to ground herself and find answers, Lucy settles into once familiar routines. But old tortured feelings flood Lucy’s existence when her beloved father, Ron, is hospitalised and Morgan – the man who drove her away all those years ago – seeks her out.
Worse, Ron implores Lucy to visit Bitterwood Estate, the crumbling historic family guesthouse now left to him. He needs Lucy to find something– an old photograph album, the very thing that drove Ron and his father apart.
Lucy has her own painful memories of Bitterwood, darkness that has plagued her dreams since she was young. But as Lucy searches for the album, the house begins to give up its ghosts and she is driven to put them to rest.
And there, held tightly between the house, the orchard and the soaring cliffs, Lucy uncovers a long-hidden secret that shattered a family’s bond and kept a frightened young girl in its thrall...and Lucy discovers just how fierce the lonely heart can be.

This is one of those novels that started so well that, I guess, was always going to end badly for me. I get my expectations so high in the first part of the book, that the ending is somewhat of an anti-climax.

The story starts so well - Lucy is called home to Victoria at the request of her grandfather, who basically promises to tell her something that will explain everything about the family. Scandals, secrets and shame, all together. The family is filled with a fascinating range of characters, filled with mystery and intrigue, it is hard not to get caught up in it all.

And then the dual timelines start to kick in and it kinda loses me from thereon in. We end up drowning in characters and mini sub-plots that the original mystery, the original story, seems to get lost. I really do think that a more linear story of Lucy unravelling her family's secrets would have been a little clearer for me (and others, judging by some reviews). I think the author did try very hard to go down the Kate Morton path instead of treading her own path instead.

Would I recommend this? Sure - there is a huge market for this dual-narrative/timeline style book and I know they are hugely popular in my store. Even more popular if they are set in Australia. So, for sure, I can recommend this book.


Paul
ARH

A great Australian Gothic tale of fear, brokenness, lies and letters. Everything that’s been hidden in the guesthouse must be faced. It’s why some loves never die.

Beyond the Orchard is a sweeping saga of dark secrets, shameful lies, forgotten letters, undying love and devastating despair. Romer’s writing is rich and lyrical, her characters compelling.

I love stories told in dual timelines each linking up as the mysteries unfold. Romer’s execution is perfect; never giving away too little or too much, holding the reader captive until the very end.
The subtle introduction of the aboriginal teens was well implemented and Orah’s love for Warra felt real and not over exaggerated.

I never really warmed to the character of Lucy. She seemed bent on her own purpose never really considering other people’s feelings. Her relationship with Morgan was alien to me (not only the 16 year age gap but Morgan being a friend of Lucy’s father and knowing her since she was a young child) so I found it hard to want more from them, although I liked their closeness.

Edwin was intense and complex; everything he did was with great passion. You either loved him or hated him. I don’t think there was any middle ground.

The story within the story, a fairytale reworking with a foreboding atmosphere, pulled me in just as much as the main story.

If you enjoy family sagas with deep secrets that span time and generations you will not want to miss “Beyond the Orchard”.

I have loved Anna Romer's previous two novels and greatly looked forward to this one. I found it confusing at the start with characters locations and what was going on. It's a timeslip moving back and forth between 1993 and the late 70's and 1930's. There is a lot going on and difficult to keep track of. I still enjoyed it but prefer her previous novels.